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Musicology: Glen Campbell's 'Ghost on the Canvas' a great listen

Thu, 09/15/2011 - 02:00 — danielec1058634

The other day while I was browsing the iTunes store I came across Glen Campbell's new and expected to be last offering "Ghost on the Canvas." I didn't realize the country star had been diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer's until I read a couple of articles about the album.As I worked my way down previewing the album I knew I had to buy it. The songs are well written and Glen has help from some of the artists I have listened to over the years. Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Brian Setzer (Stray Cats) and Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) offer their guitar mastery on the track "There's No Me ... Without You."On the song "Strong" Campbell sings a haunting song with help from the group The Dandy Warhols. It seems like an odd combination but the song gives you shivers.iTunes also offers the album with a couple of bonus songs, one of which "Wish You Were Here" I think is the best on the entire album. It's one of those songs that makes the hair on the back of your next stand up. This is definitely a put on your headphones album.There are a lot of short interludes that lead into the songs so it is like a journey through his life that keeps on rolling. The opening song called "A Better Place" covers a little bit about mistakes he may have made in life, how fortunate he has been and the acceptance that there is something better waiting for him in a higher place. You can check out the song at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4mylwPMPhMThe song is less than two minutes long but you can take so much from his message.He appeared recently on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and performed "A Better Place" and "It's Your Amazing Grace" with the help of three of his children. When he was done he said "I got through it."If Campbell doesn't reel in a lot of recognition and honors for his last offering it will be a shame.